How to refuel a rental car in Japan: self-service gas stations

Japanese gas stations are either self-service (セルフ), where you fill the car yourself, or full-service, where staff do it for you. At self-service stations, check the fuel type by the colour of the nozzle: red is regular, yellow is high-octane and green is diesel. Touch the static-removal pad before you refuel, and return your rental car with a full tank.

Which fuel does my rental car use?

Ask at the rental counter when you pick up the car, and remember the answer. Putting in the wrong fuel can damage the engine. Nippon Rent-A-Car lists wrong refuelling as something its insurance does not cover.

Source: Nippon Rent-A-Car, Insurance and compensation (checked on 23 October 2026)

What do the nozzle colours mean?

In Japan, fuel nozzles are colour-coded:

Colour	Fuel	Japanese
Red	Regular gasoline	レギュラー
Yellow	High-octane gasoline	ハイオク
Green	Diesel	軽油
Blue	Kerosene (for heaters, not cars)	灯油

Source: Fire and Disaster Management Agency (checked on 23 October 2026)

軽油 (diesel) contains the character 軽, which also appears in 軽自動車 (kei car). It does not mean fuel for kei cars.

How do I use a self-service gas station?

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency gives these safety points for self-service stations:

1. Turn off the engine.
2. Read the instructions shown on the pump.
3. Touch the static-removal pad before you open the fuel cap or pick up the nozzle.
4. Check the fuel type and pick up the nozzle of the right colour.
5. Do not use lighters, cigarettes or any other flame.
6. Do not fill containers with gasoline yourself.
7. If anything is unclear, ask staff through the intercom near the pump.

Source: Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Safe refuelling at self-service stations (checked on 23 October 2026)

How do I ask staff to fill the car?

At a full-service station, staff guide you in and ask what you need. You can say:

What you want	What to say
Fill up with regular	Regyurā, mantan de (レギュラー満タンで)
Fill up with high-octane	Haioku, mantan de (ハイオク満タンで)

Do I need to return the rental car with a full tank?

Check your rental agreement. Toyota Rent a Car, for example, asks you to fill the tank at a gas station near the office before you return the car. If you do not, it charges a set fuel fee based on the distance you drove. For hybrid cars, Toyota offers an option that lets you return the car without filling up.

Source: Toyota Rent a Car, Rental guide (checked on 23 October 2026)